The best seat on the plane.
Regional jets are pretty slim but 1st isn’t bad as the ‘equipment’ (as the airlines call it) is still reasonably new. The Embraer 190 is a narrowbody and is supposed to give that large jet feeling without the heft.
Or that’s what the brochure said before I took one out for a spin at the dealership. Good for medium runs they say. The parking at Whole Foods with one of these is hell I would imagine. And it’s not practical like a helicopter where you can just leave them hovering and tied to a tree. I am perched in a row of one seat by four rows. And across the aisle is the usual first class configuration of two seats that you’d see in a medium haul jet. It’s staggered so there are five rows over on the right.
If you are ever traveling by yourself try and grab seat A2. I think I am sitting on what is the best seat on the plane. There is a wild amount of legroom in front of me to the point where I can’t get my tootsies on the wall. Unless I stretch. Even a six footer would be happy here which is unusual for any plane config. This seat is also impervious to an assault from forward facing reclining passengers. A potential laptop crusher if ever there was one.
Talking of space, there’s a nifty trick that goes with a ride on an Airbus A319: the second exit row (usually 9 or 10 depending on the carrier) doesn’t have a seat in front of A and F. If you’re a super tall mid level frequent flyer it’s a lovely thing to know. It also works with mid level vertically challenged frequently fliers such as like myself.
The thing I like most about this plane is the tip of the hat towards usability and retaining a sense of style. Consider the hidden drink coaster to the left. It’s delicious and would have been so easy to skip in entirety.
But no, somebody in Brazil sat at a conference table and fought for this. Aluminum or not it must have added to both cost and weight. Bless you, Mr. or Ms. for this is not only good to look at but is eminently functional.
If you’re ever in town let’s call up Jeffrey Bernett and we’ll have a swanky dinner.
Posted: January 12th, 2009 under Out and about, Usability.
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